Demirtaş: EP could take initiatives for resolution process in Turkey

After the meeting with EP President Schulz, Demirtaş said: "The EP could take official initiatives regarding the peace and solution process in Turkey, and establish a commission on how a lasting solution can be reached."

HDP delegation led by Co-President Selahattin Demirtaş arrived in Europe earlier today after being invited by the European Parliament President Martin Schulz. HDP Deputy Co-President in charge of Foreign Relations Hişyar Özsoy, HDP Deputy Co-President in charge of Law and Human Rights Meral Danış Beştaş and HDP Mardin Parliamentarian Mithat Sancar accompany Demirtaş in the Belgian capital Brussels.

HDP delegation had a meeting that was closed to the press with the European Parliament (EP) President Martin Schultz this morning. Demirtaş answered journalists’ questions after the meeting and stated that the HDP is a party that is considered as important and taken seriously in Europe. Demirtaş said that their politics were impartial and that they did not manipulate society like Erdoğan and the AKP do.

‘EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CAN DO MORE’

Demirtaş stated that the European Parliament closely monitors the developments in Turkey, particularly since the coup attempt on July 15, adding: “The EP rapporteur committee will soon visit Turkey and monitor the developments closely. Among the European institutions, EP attempts to comprehend the process in Turkey the most and it cannot be compared with the council and other EU institutions. The EP is much more sensitive and has carried out interventions. However, we demand that these become more concrete. For example, the EP could take official initiatives regarding the peace and solution process in Turkey, and establish a commission on how a lasting solution can be reached. An official monitoring body could be established when the solution process begins.”

‘ERDOĞAN’S STRATEGY OF WAR HARMS EVERYONE’

Demirtaş stated that Erdoğan and the AKP were responsible for the clashes in Turkey, and added: “Erdoğan’s strategy of war destabilizes Turkey, Syria, Iraq and the region of Kurdistan. This instability creates security problems and refugee crises in all parts of Europe, and the solution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey would bring an end to all of these problems. EP closely monitors the torture, violations of fair prosecution and press freedom, unfair arrests, the purge in state institutions, and the elimination operations against Kurdish people and left-wing groups in the aftermath of the coup attempt on July 15. As the most important and leading democratic group, we are aware that Erdoğan’s coup within the coup attempt that took place on July 15 puts the future of Turkey at great risk.”

In response to the AKP government’s appointment of trustees to DBO municipalities, HDP Co-President Selahattin Demirtaş said “they appointed trustees to our municipalities and arrested out mayors. DBP Co-President Kamuran Yüksek has been arrested for 165 days, and the lack of a hearing since his arrest shows that Turkey will be faced with a catastrophe unless the democracy front puts up a strong resistance. All of these are madness; our message is that we will not take a step back no matter what the level of oppression is. Turkey may experience prosecution, arrests and even political executions. However, we will not take a step back and give up on our principles, democracy, and freedom. ”

...